With Genesis, Ford and McLaren, three more manufacturers will be enriching the FIA WEC hypercar class in the coming years. Hyundai subsidiary Genesis will kick things off in the 2026 season, before Ford and McLaren join the grid in 2027.
According to the schedule, the Genesis team is in the midst of preparations for its debut season in the World Endurance Championship. At this year’s edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Genesis presented the plan leading up to the GMR-001’s first race, and it quickly became clear that the car manufacturer from South Korea is serious.
In addition to the successfully completed endurance test of the engine and gearbox, whose technology comes from Hyundai Motorsport’s WRC program, team boss Cyril Abiteboul also reported on new commitments in the team. Accordingly, the team boss and his technical director François-Xavier Demaison will be supported by Anouck Abadie (team management), Justin Taylor (chief engineer) and multiple touring car champion Gabriele Tarquini (sports director).
The ambitious growth plans of Genesis Magma Racing will also result in an expansion at Hyundai Motorsport. In future, the team will operate from its new headquarters in Le Castellet, which is not far from the Oreca site. With this step, Genesis is ensuring the continuous further development of the LMDh racing car GMR-001.
Le Mans winner at the wheel of Genesis Magma Racing
In order to be prepared for its entry into the top class of the WEC, the Genesis team is already gaining strategic experience in prototype racing during the current season. At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the team competed in the LMP2 class together with Jamie Chadwick and Mathys Jaubert. The duo received support from reigning endurance world champion and three-time Le Mans winner André Lotterer.
“It was a great experience, but I don’t think you can ever really prepare for your first time at Le Mans. That’s why I’m all the more pleased to be part of the team. At the beginning I just wanted to take part in the race and suddenly we were fighting for a podium place. The result is disappointing, but the whole team did an incredible job,” explained Jamie Chadwick after the premature end to her Le Mans debut.
In addition to the French endurance classic, Chadwick and Jaubert are also racing in the European Le Mans Series. After a class victory in Barcelona and their overall victory in Le Castellet, they are currently in second place in the championship standings.